The Allahabad High Court, on Friday, declined to grant a stay on the Varanasi Court’s decision allowing Hindu prayers in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque. The court provided time until February 6 for the Masjid Intezamia Committee to amend its pleadings to challenge the January 17 order, leading to the January 31 decision.
The court emphasized that the mosque side should first challenge the January 17 order, appointing the District Magistrate as the receiver. The next hearing is scheduled for February 6. The Varanasi district court had earlier permitted Hindu prayers in the mosque’s southern cellar on January 31, prompting the present legal proceedings.
The court had questioned SFA Naqvi, the attorney for the Masjid Intezamia Committee, about why the fundamental order of January 17, 2024 had not been contested.
The committee’s attorney stated, “He had to come right away because of the January 31 directive. Will contest it as well (the fundamental arrangement). Since the district magistrate began the puja within nine hours after receiving the order and made preparations during the night.”
The lawyer for the Hindu side, Vishnu Shankar Jain, raised concerns about the appeal’s ability to be maintained. He stated that no one has contested the initial order. The plaintiff has not received remedy from the lower court. The temple trust now has the authority.
Early on Thursday morning, the Masjid Intezamia Committee had also appeared before the Supreme Court; however, the Supreme Court recommended that the matter be taken to the High Court.
On January 31, however, the district court in Varanasi granted permission for the Hindu side to pray in the Gyanvapi mosque’s southern cellar. The Varanasi district magistrate was instructed by the court to arrange, within seven days, for the Hindu side and a pujari (priest) designated by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust to do “puja.” “Puja” and “aarti” were conducted in the wee hours of Thursday following the court’s ruling.
